Traceability and labelling

Both traceability and labelling are directly covered by EU Regulations 1829/2003 and 1830/2003, respectively.

Surveillance and enforcement

Official enforcement control is carried out at every stage of production and trade in order to check requirements for biotech products. Producers and traders are required to document products containing GMOs and forward this information to all buyers in the distribution chain.

At this time Austria’s enforcement approach focuses mainly on documentation and does not yet conduct analytical testing on final products. Not complying with documentation requirements can result in a fine of up to 30,000 euros.

Authorities conducted testing on foods in Austria for the presence of GM ingredients from 2001 to 2005. In 2001, 153 samples were evaluated, while 250 samples were taken each of the following years. Five of the 242 samples tested in 2005 had traces of GM ingredients, but none of the samples exceeded the 0.9 percent threshold for labelling.